All Articles For Bible Study Guide

In this letter, the author to the Hebrews (Jewish Christians) sets forth Jesus as the true fulfillment of the law and the old covenant. Though there was a temptation to abandon faith in Him, this letter was written to encourage all, especially Jews, to consider the true ministry of Jesus and what it means to their faith and future.

Rev. Kortering is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan. After the Lord had given victory over the Canaanitish king Jabin, and his captain Sisera, Deborah and Barak sang a song of praise unto Jehovah. In the opening verses they describe Jehovah their God who alone is worthy of such praise (Judges 5:1-5). By contrast, the people chose new gods and forsook Jehovah; and He sent the enemy against them. The call for help went out to the governors. They responded well and God gave victory (Judges 5:6-11). We have more details how that victory came about. Certain...

Jason L. Kortering is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan. Since we expressed agreement with the idea that Joshua begins a new section in the Hebrew Bible which is entitled The Former Prophets, we at the same times reject the idea that it belongs to the Pentateuch as part of that history. In the Pentateuch, God instructed Israel, both by law and through the historical events, concerning His covenant promise to be their God. The focal point of this revelation was the land of Canaan. Now in the Book of Joshua we have the details given to us...

Jason L. Kortering is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan. The first main division in the Book of Joshua covers,Joshua 1:1-12:24, and describes the entrance of Israel into the land of Canaan and the conquest of all its parts. We continue this outline from Joshua 1:9. Joshua instructs the officers to tell the people to prepare food, for they will cross the Jordan in three days. He also reminds the men of Reuben, Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh to fulfill their promise to go with the people over the Jordan to help the others possess their...

In writing to the Hebrew Christians, the author holds forth the new covenant as “better” than that of the old. He uses the word better some thirteen times. To illustrate the comparative superiority of the new covenant in Christ, he speaks of a better revelation (Heb. 1:1-4); a better hope (Heb.

Jason L. Kortering is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan. We are about to the end of outlining the first main division of the book of Joshua, which covers chapters 1-12. This gives the details of Israel entering into and possessing the land of Canaan. We pick up our outline at Joshua 10:28. After the death of the five kings, Joshua took in succession the following cities with their kings, Makkedah, Lachish, Gezer, Eglon, Hebron, and Debir (Joshua 10:28-39). He destroyed all their kings and all that breathed, from Kadesh Barnea to Gaza even to Gibeon and returned...

Rev. Kortering is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan. We come now to the ninth judge, Samson. The Lord delivered Israel into the hands of the Philistines for 40 years (Judges 13:1). The angel appears unto the wife of Manoah, of the city of Zorah from the tribe of Dan, and announces that though she is barren, she will conceive and bear a son. He is to be a Nazarite unto God from the womb; hence she is to drink neither wine nor strong drink, nor eat anything unclean. When this son is born, no razor must...

Rev. Kortering is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan. We are in the midst of outlining the narrative of the Levite whose concubine had been abused by the men of Gibeah and killed. He had taken her body and cut it into twelve pieces and called the men of Israel to come to fight the men of Benjamin for this evil deed. The battle is now drawn, 400,000 men of Israel against 26,000 men of Benjamin along with 600 men from Gibeah. After inquiring of the Lord as to which tribe should go up first in battle,...

Rev. Kortering is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan. We now turn our attention to the next book in the section of the Old Testament designated as “The Former Prophets.” For this reason we do not treat Ruth now, but will take that up in connection with the section designated as “The Writings.” The Former Prophets include Joshua, Judges, both books of Samuel, and both of Kings. Name—Author—Date You may notice that in our King James Bibles there is inserted under the title, “The First Book of Samuel,” the words, “otherwise called the First Book of the...

Rev. Kortering is pastor of the Protestant Reformed Church of Grandville, Michigan. We begin our outline of the books of I and II Samuel by following the three main divisions—chapters 1-12 which deal with the history of Samuel; chapters 13-31 which cover the rule of Saul; and chapters 1-24 of II Samuel which give us the details of David’s reign as king. Brief Outline 1. The history of Samuel as he restores the theocracy in Israel (chapters 1-12). A man of Ephraim, Elkanah, had taken two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah was barren. Yearly, Elkanah went...